When Stephen Graham’s gripping new drama Adolescence drops on Netflix on Thursday, all eyes will be on its fresh-faced lead Owen Cooper – a 15-year-old from Manchester on course to become the next big thing.
At just 15, the Northern actor is making his on-screen debut in a role that’s set to catapult him into the spotlight – and terrify parents across the country.
But who is Owen Cooper, and how did this relatively unknown teenager land his first professional role in such a high-profile production alongside some of the country’s biggest names?
READ MORE: Stephen Graham’s dark Netflix drama looks so intense fans aren’t sure they can watch
The teen, who says he enjoys German and PE at school, actually grew up dreaming of becoming a footballer. But after taking a few acting lessons at a Coronation Street star’s drama school in Didsbury, a whole new world opened up for the teen who is on course for stardom.
“I only really wanted to start acting a couple of years ago,” Owen told Variety. “It’s not been long. I grew up wanting to be a footballer. I don’t know what it was that made me want to do it, but I just wanted to do it. And then I went to lessons and enjoyed it. And then I got into a little agency thing, and then I got a self-tape request for ‘Adolescence.’ And everything came from that really.”
He began attending hourly drama classes on Tuesdays at The Drama Mob, a Manchester-based drama school co-founded by Coronation Street star Tina O’Brien and her best friend Esther Morgan.
“I was just doing it for a hobby and didn’t expect much from it,” he said. “And then when ‘Adolescence’ came, I obviously took it a lot more seriously. And I just took it on the chin really, and just did it.”
Owen’s dedication to his weekly lessons paid off when he submitted a self-tape audition for Adolescence. His talent caught the attention of casting directors, leading to an in-person audition in Manchester.
Initially, Owen thought he was in the running for the role of Ryan, Jamie’s friend. But in a twist that left him stunned, he was offered the lead role instead.
Recalling the moment he found out, Owen said: “I was there with my mum, and at that point, there was a chance that I could play the role of Ryan. So when we sat down, that was what we were expecting to hear. When they said it was the role of Jamie, I was like, ‘What?’ I’d been asleep in the car before we arrived and had only just woken up. I was on a different planet and just thought, ‘This is mad!’”
As far as career starts go, Owen’s is nothing short of extraordinary. His TV debut in Adolescence sees him starring alongside the legendary Stephen Graham in this terrifying one-shot drama that’s already generating buzz. The four-part series, which tells the story of 13-year-old Jamie Miller after he is accused of murdering a teenage girl, also stars Top Boy’s Ashley Walkers.
And Owen’s co-stars has been full of admiration for his breakout performance. Erin Doherty, who plays Briony Ariston, a clinical psychologist assigned to Jamie’s case, said: “This guy is hands down one of the best actors I’ve ever worked with. Seriously, it blows my mind that this is [his] first job. It’s absolutely ridiculous.”
While filming Adolescence, Owen also landed a role in Emerald Fennell’s hotly anticipated Wuthering Heights, where he’ll share the screen with Margot Robbie and Jacob Elordi.
The Drama Mob, where Owen first caught the acting bug, took to Facebook to celebrate his big break, writing: “Owen has trained in our classes for around 2 years now and has always given it his all, determined to learn and be the best actor he can be. Congratulations, Owen, on your big break! We cannot wait to see what lies ahead—his future is bright. But remember, #YouSawHimHereFirst.”
For Owen, watching himself in Adolescence was a surreal experience. “It was weird watching myself,” he admitted. “But it was just like thinking about the memories. And I could always tell which take it was, because every take was different.
“So, yeah, it was weird to watch it, but it was also amazing. And all the family got to see it as well, so that was great.”
Despite his initial hesitation, the feedback Owen has received has been overwhelmingly positive. “Everyone’s been saying such nice things,” he shared. “My agent has seen it and she said it was really good. I don’t know what it is, but I don’t really watch it like I’m watching a normal show. I just watch it because I’m in it. But everyone who has spoken to me has said it’s amazing.”
Adolescence is on Netflix from 13 March.
